Koeman confirms Lukaku decision

Ronald Koeman reiterated after the win over West Brom that Romelu Lukaku has indicated his desire to stay at Everton for at least one more season.

The manager gave the first indication of the Belgian's decision in his newspaper column for De Telegraaf on Friday and he confirmed to BBC Sport in his post-match interview that Lukaku has personally told him he is no longer seeking a transfer away from Goodison Park.

The summer began with Lukaku making very public noises about wanting to sign for a Champions League club this summer but a combination of his mixed displays for Belgium, Everton's desire to keep him and the enormous fee it would take to tempt the Blues into selling means that no official bid has come in for him despite relentless media reports of interest from Chelsea.

Now, it looks as though the 23-year-old will be staying put for another season at least, hoping to fire Everton into the Champions League themselves under the club's new manager.

“It is true," the Dutchman said following the 2-1 win. "He spoke to me yesterday morning to say that he made the decision by himself to stay at least one more season at Everton and that is great news for everybody,”

When asked if Lukaku might sign the new contract that is rumoured to have been on the table for the past few weeks, Koeman replied: “Yes that is possible.”

Reader Comments (122)

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Kevin Rowlands 1Posted
21/08/2016 at
07:00:07

Very nice of him to make his decision to stay although he does have 3 years still left on his existing contract so Everton also had a say in it I would hope he realizes. Let's hope he can now show us under Koeman that he really is the player that he and a lot of posters on here thinks he is, world class and a prolific goalscorer, fifteen straight games, zero goals and counting.

Alan J Thompson 2Posted
21/08/2016 at
07:00:59

RK: "Rom, would you step into the office for a minute, please."RL: 'Certainly, Boss."

30 minutes later the problem appears to be solved.This man surely knows management.

Kase Chow 3Posted
21/08/2016 at
07:18:54

Great news

Now concentrate on scoring goals Rom

Thomas Surgenor 4Posted
21/08/2016 at
07:19:00

I suggested on another thread that Lukaku might be next season's FFP make-weight.

The litmus test, for me, will be what happens when the Chang deal expires at the end of this season. I'm hoping for a bare minimum 5-fold improvement on a shirt sponsor deal to improve our FFP standing. If Moshiri can pull that off, then we might be able to keep Lukaku. If not, I think he will be the sacrifice to allow our continued improvement on the pitch. The sale of Lukaku will allow him to attract the bigger salaried players and continue our steady growth.

Plan B would be to keep him and trust that Walsh can find cheap gems, that don't command a big salary yet still improve our starting 11. To do that, we would also need to show Lukaku that we are serious on the pitch. (I also think he needs to buy into the project and show Koeman he is worth rejecting the big bids.)

We have no problem with transfer fees, just salaries, I believe.

Ian McDowell 5Posted
21/08/2016 at
07:33:36

Still think we require another forward. I think we may bring in Kone, Ghezzal possibly Hart before the deadline closes but hopefully we can offload A. Kone, Niassie, Mcgeady and Robles.

Darren Hind 6Posted
21/08/2016 at
07:49:08

This was always going to be the outcome. Lukaku has not proven himself to be top class and will not attract the sort of offer We are looking for.

Not necessarily bad news. He's whilst nobody would claim he is the finished article, there is plenty for Koeman and his staff to work with.

Averages 14 league goals a season, but if he can show the sort of improvement we have already seen in Barkley and Mirallas's attitude, he can definitely improve on that and more importantly enhance his value to the team by weighing in with a few more assist's.

Good to put this one to bed, but we still need to sign another striker.

Dave Abrahams 7Posted
21/08/2016 at
08:48:31

He might be staying but is his heart here, while the rest of the team were applauding the Everton fans at the end of the game Lukaku walked down the tunnel, past Koeman, who was also clapping the fans.

Brian Williams 8Posted
21/08/2016 at
08:59:30

Very strange that his decision comes after the numerous offers the club's received for him, leaving him spoilt for choice as to where he plays this season ..Oh wait!

Brendan Fox 9Posted
21/08/2016 at
09:01:06

Now Lukaku has decided he will honour us with his presence for another season I hope RK goes out and buys a proper CF target man who will graft for the team from the front who can control and hold the ball as Lukaku couldn't trap a bag of sand and provide Lukaku with genuine competition.

Clive Mitchell 10Posted
21/08/2016 at
09:09:59

The muted welcome for the news Lukaku's staying is entirely understandable, but at 23 the guy is as good as it gets at centre forward. Maybe no one was prepared to pay £75 million for him this year, but it's not a silly asking price. That tells you everything. Would you rather have James Rodrigues or Rom at the club? No brainer, isn't it?

Daniel Lawrence 11Posted
21/08/2016 at
09:26:27

Good news, well at least until two weeks time when he's away with Belgium bleating to the press.

Ella Thornton 12Posted
21/08/2016 at
09:28:07

What's happened to Tarashaj? He's not listed on the OS in either the first team or the under-23s. Another one on the out list?

Gordon White 13Posted
21/08/2016 at
09:39:44

I'm pleased he is staying, although his work rate and team play leave a lot to be desired. Hopefulky RK will have an influence on this. You could see the difference his presence, and the change to 4-3-3, made yesterday.

Having said that, we still need another decent alternative in the team. We can't keep relying on one player to deliver the goods. I also think/hope that we will sign Kone, Ghezzal and possibly Hart before the close of the window.

Jon Withey 14Posted
21/08/2016 at
09:46:38

To be fair, he's at a club that just finished 11th and sacked their manager - he joined a club that finished 5th and looked on the way up. He can only be as happy as we are about that - not very.

I hope we can put this to bed until next summer.

I think him, Bolasie, Mirallas and Barkley can be an attacking force, managed right.

We do need another striker though - and I was wondering about Tarashaj myself.

Nick Page 15Posted
21/08/2016 at
10:00:51

Acc to the OS first team squad list Tarashaj doesn't have a squad number. All very curious. So does anyone know what's happened to him?

Dean Adams 16Posted
21/08/2016 at
10:04:14

Jon 14Tarashaj has the shirt number 24, which appears to be missing at the moment on the Official site. Just the usual glitch with them, but he is listed.

Ray Roche 17Posted
21/08/2016 at
10:05:54

The bit we saw of Tarashaj pre season, he looked a half decent player with pace and skill. Mystifying as to why he has not been included in the squad.

He certainly looked a vast improvement on Kone. Having said that, so would Douglas Bader.

Nigel Munford 18Posted
21/08/2016 at
10:17:58

I think the OS needs some decent management as it's truly a poorly run web offering, constantly out of date. I'm pleased the team management was seen as a higher priority.

Les Martin 19Posted
21/08/2016 at
10:53:41

Were not privy to behind the scene negotiations. Maybe Ronald has given him some assurances about new signings before deadline day and is impressed with the new regime ?.I feel there is going to be some exciting business in the next 10 days

Liam Reilly 20Posted
21/08/2016 at
10:54:13

Good news.

Out of the 3 players muted to be leaving during this window: Rom, Stomes and Barkley, for me the right one has gone.

Jack Convery 21Posted
21/08/2016 at
10:59:12

Good news thats he's staying. Pity he has said its for another season - doesn't help himself with his PR efforts being lamentable.

Get us the goals Rom you know it makes sense. Better to become a legend here than try with CFC., where you will warm the bench more often than not in my opinion.

CiarÃ¡n McGlone 22Posted
21/08/2016 at
11:20:26

Lukaku thinks we're a small pond and he's a big fish.

Now he's staying, he needs to stop playing like a big fish.

Laura Round 23Posted
21/08/2016 at
11:23:05

Tarashaj was injured in pre season. He did post on his Instagram yesterday. Wearing his Everton scarf..

Ray Roche 24Posted
21/08/2016 at
11:37:54

Thanks Laura, I wondered what had become of him. I don't do Instagram, although I used to have a radiogram. Is that the same thing?

Brent Stephens 26Posted
21/08/2016 at
11:45:24

Ray #17 "He certainly looked a vast improvement on Kone. Having said that, so would Douglas Bader."

Can't remember who it was aimed at but I remember many decades ago we would talk about one of the rs (l'excrement rouge according to Tony Draper!) as like Douglas Bader - deadly in the air but dodgy on the ground. Who was that? Tony Hateley??

Brent Stephens 27Posted
21/08/2016 at
11:47:51

Ray, you're confusing radiogram with telegram - and went through the letter box more easily.

Jon Withey 28Posted
21/08/2016 at
11:50:30

Also, I notice Sky have us linked with Gabiadini although not mentioned elsewhere.

Jon Withey 29Posted
21/08/2016 at
11:52:10

Actually, Gabiadini would make sense if he's an Italian target man - they know that role a la Pelle.

Donald Neville 30Posted
21/08/2016 at
11:57:29

Let's be alittle honest, Rom wanted CL and I believe the deadline for players eligible to play in he CL has passed. I think that had something to do with his choice. What's the point going to Chelsea to sit behind Costa and Bat, and you can't even get a CL game in. No instead it's better to stay at Everton and increase your goal output and make a stronger case for next season. Either way I'm glad he is still in Everton Blue, til at least January.

Donald Neville 31Posted
21/08/2016 at
11:59:04

Jon#29I wouldn't mind Gabiadini at all. He looked good for Napoli last season. I also am a big fan of Insigne he young Napoli winger. He can also play as an attacking mid and up front as a second striker as well.

Michael Polley 32Posted
21/08/2016 at
12:04:25

Glad he is staying.He needs to show the right attitude on the pitch now.Think he will improve under Koeman.The link up with Boliase should be interesting.

Tony Twist 33Posted
21/08/2016 at
12:05:44

Finger out Everton. We need a quality striker to push Lukaku. He will either sink or swim, I think he will sink with any sort of competition.

Peter Barry 34Posted
21/08/2016 at
12:11:34

If Lukaku continues to play as he has being doing for the last 12 games he wont be worth a tub of lard by the end of the season.

Ray Roche 35Posted
21/08/2016 at
12:12:04

Brent, yes, Tony Hately, scored a brilliant diving header on his debut, as I remember, but failed to set the world on fire. Some years later, about 1978 he, along with Yeats, took over at Rhyl and he was a genuinely nice guy, as was Yeats, who called me a scouse **** when I nut megged him in training. The training, though, was great with plenty of ball work. You can see how people learn from these guys with their vast experience.

Maybe the radio/telegram thing explains my lack of mail. Letterbox was blocked for years.

Chris Corn 36Posted
21/08/2016 at
12:14:31

Donald 30..Chelsea are not in any form of European football this year, so the CL issue you talk of is a moot point. It appears he is/was going nowhere other than to Chelsea. However until the deadline has passed I will remain a little sceptical.

Brent Stephens 37Posted
21/08/2016 at
12:16:40

But a very musical letterbox, no doubt, Ray. The forerunner of the modern doorbell?

Nutmegged him! Respect!

Ray Roche 38Posted
21/08/2016 at
12:22:35

Aye Brent, but it was the last time the ball and me went past him. One or the other, never both.

To be honest, I'd surprised myself

Dave Abrahams 39Posted
21/08/2016 at
12:26:14

I would have preferred the money, anything over £60M, as long as it was used on more players in, will he improve to the extent that this sort of money is on the table at the end of this season. I wouldn't take the risk.

Tony Abrahams 40Posted
21/08/2016 at
12:28:34

Dave7, he showed his delight when Barry scored, which hopefully tells us a bit more. Hopefully he was just shattered, which is also something, I hope he's going to have to get used to!

Paul Conway 41Posted
21/08/2016 at
12:33:26

In order to convince Lukaku to stay he must have been convinced and been privy to Mr Koeman's plans. And was probably impressed enough to hang on. I would expect some high profile faces to arrive at good is on Park as part of the picture painted by the boss.

ps: "Good is on Park" was an error by the predictive text on my tablet. I didn't bother correcting it as it seems so appropriate for the new mood!

Colin Glassar 42Posted
21/08/2016 at
12:34:50

If Lukaku watches Sunday Supplement he'll be off like a flash. They are so dismissive of us and John Cross (complete Arsenal loving bellend) even compared us to Sunderland!!!

Ray Roche 43Posted
21/08/2016 at
12:36:20

Dave, and to be fair, with his heel injury he'll have had less training than the others and he was behind to start with. We certainly looked a better team when he came on.

Drew Shortis 44Posted
21/08/2016 at
12:39:59

Cast your minds back a few seasons. Who did we have up front? Players like Beattie, Johnson and an injury prone Saha (great player when fit!). Getting into double figures was a struggle for our strikers. We desperately needed someone who could finish off the neat passing moves on a consistent basis. Then, almost out of the blue we got Lukaku on loan and the goals started flying in.

I'm as frustrated by his off field comments, poor first touch and generally despondent attitude when things aren't going his way as the rest, but he is a goalscorer. He has been playing in a team that was not set up to take advantage of his strengths. I believe Koeman will set the team up to get the most out of Lukaku. Already him and Bolasie have shown signs of forming an understanding. Attack with pace and directness with Rom running at players and he will score plenty.

I do think we need another striker, both as backup, but also as an alternative to Lukaku if the game demands it or a partner. Ideally a target man who can bring others into play. Rom did an OK job against West Brom, allowing us to play more direct balls and getting us playing in the final third, but playing with his back to goal is not his forte and there will be more tests against the likes of Hull & Burnley where they're set up in two banks of four to stifle our play. With a target man we have the players with the close passing skill to break through, as Mirallas & Barkley proved yesterday. We just need a couple more options.

Very pleased with this news and the way the club is now heading.

Brian Harrison 45Posted
21/08/2016 at
12:45:01

RK again proved that unlike his predecessor he is as sharp as a tack and made the changes early. He has already started to transform us in the short time he has been here. He likes players up front with pace and with Bolaise added he has added power and pace.

The fitness levels have started to improve and will no doubt continue to improve. Instead of players knowing they will automatically play, now they will have to perform week in and week out to stay in the team. I am sure in the weeks and months ahead we will also see improvements in all the players, I am especially interested to see how he handles Lukaku.

Dave Abrahams 46Posted
21/08/2016 at
12:53:02

Ray (43) I wouldn't have a go at him for yesterday's performance, I accept he is not fully fit, it's just that I don't think he is capable of becoming a great player.

He will always score goals, will he improve his seasons tally to keep his transfer fee up the value that other clubs will pay it. Time will tell, I hope for Everton's sake he does.

John Hoggarth 47Posted
21/08/2016 at
12:54:22

I was pleasantly surprised we got any coverage on SS, Colin, and actually thought it was fair. There were very positive comments about Ron and their points about Rom chimed with what a lot of Evertonians think; he hasn't moved on because no club thought he was worth the money - and his work rate and teamwork need to improve. Journos also thought he'd progress under Ron. Hope they're right!

Steve Guy 48Posted
21/08/2016 at
12:55:18

I hope RK can also get a clause in any new contract which obliges Lukaku to ensure his Dad and agent just shut the F@@k up. If you re-read some of their early 2016 comments now in yhe light of recent events they are beyond embarrassing

James Hughes 49Posted
21/08/2016 at
12:58:35

Colin who is John Cross but a two bob no-mark who is paid far too much for inane drivel he spouts. Comparing us to the Mackems for him is fair,,as we are both north of Watford .He probably thinks we are neighbours and we all still work at t'mill.

Dave Pritchard 50Posted
21/08/2016 at
13:13:12

Colin, don't watch footy journos talking if you don't want to get wound up. If nobody watched them and nobody bought their papers they'd be out of a job.

Michael Plant 51Posted
21/08/2016 at
13:16:05

Injury free and Rom will guarantee us 20 plus goals. I don't think we could buy the same with what we would be willing to spend. I'm delighted and can't wait to see him and Bolasie tearing into the RS. COYB!!

Colin Glassar 52Posted
21/08/2016 at
13:17:21

It's just when we are compared to the likes of Sunderland, WHU and even Southampton it just makes my blood boil. The obsession with the sky 4-6 is sickening.

Anthony Dwyer 53Posted
21/08/2016 at
13:21:48

Great news, we wasn't going to attract better with no European football on offer, we can now kick on knowing we have a 20 goal a season striker up top.

Daniel A Johnson 54Posted
21/08/2016 at
13:24:37

Call me suspicious but the more Lukaku runs down his contract the less of a fee we could command for him.

When he gets to the 18 month mark his value could plummet to the 25-30M mark or we risk losing him for nowt

Laura Round 55Posted
21/08/2016 at
13:25:58

Haha Ray 24. Between us we have all bases covered! Looked like he was in the stands at the hawthorns..

Jay Wood 56Posted
21/08/2016 at
13:32:45

Throughout the summer, Romelu's fiercest critics constantly levelled two charges at him:

1) he is a crap footballer

2) he is an arrogant, disrespectful twat with a hyper-inflated ego

Any counters to 1) were dismissed as statistical distortion and pure invention as to the quality of his finishing and game play.

Any counters to 2), offering an alternative view that in interviews he often speaks as an eloquent, intelligent, humble, deep thinking and keen student of the game, were torched by flame throwing keyboard warriors.

Even following his introduction yesterday, which clearly and immediately changed the dynamic of the game and put Everton in the ascendency from which they won the game, the usual suspects could not refrain from criticising him.

Koeman is no fool. In announcing Lukaku is staying he said:

"He is not only a great player but also a fine human being. " (as clear a counter from our manager you could ask for to the above two claims by the anti-Romelu clique).

Koeman added: "It's nice to work with him and vice versa, I think he sees that we want to improve a lot in all areas. Both the team, and to develop himself into a top player is a challenge for me." An acknowledgement that the player is far from the finished product, but still, at 23, Koeman sees RL staying equal to making a 'mega signing.'

I undersood there was a case to be made to cash in the likes of John Stones and Lukaku. As some suggest, possibly our hand was forced to flog JS due to the confused FFP edict. I really don't know.

But my opinion remains the same: be it John Stones, Romelu Lukaku or Ross Barkley. They have exactly the right profile in terms of ability, age and potential we should be looking to recruit and retain for the continued betterment of the club.

Terry McLavey 57Posted
21/08/2016 at
13:35:36

So he's graciously decided to stay to suit himself, thank you so much!

Only one bit of advice Romelu, stop missing sitters and earn your money!

Chris Williams 58Posted
21/08/2016 at
13:49:27

Colin I agree with you. It completely pisses you off. I hadn't realised it was John Cross , who is a total shitbag. Now I can put a face to a Shitbag.

He has many problems being an Arsenal 'supporter', but just imagine, in a few years, if Moshiri and Koeman get it right he will want to wax lyrical about us.

Not sure how I feel about that.

Colin Glassar 59Posted
21/08/2016 at
13:53:03

Totally agree Jay. Lukaku has his share of hard core critics on here, as does Ross and as did Stones, and they just plain don't like him. Whatever the lad does, despite the number of goals he scores they will never rate him. They want work rate , smiles, acts of contrition etc I just don't get it as, apparently, he is a model pro and well liked by everyone at the club.

CiarÃ¡n McGlone 60Posted
21/08/2016 at
14:07:14

I would've thought it was obvious why fans have issues with Lukaku, both on and off the pitch.

But he's staying now, so let's hope he becomes the player he thinks he is.. and keeps his gob shut.

Damian Wilde 61Posted
21/08/2016 at
14:18:45

The journalists and presenters are embarrassing, they become aroused when duscussing Jose or Klopp. They're beyond stupid.

"I hope Jack Rodwell can play centre-back. Sunderland have lost all shape. I would have put McNair at the back and Rodwell as the holding midfield player."

Paul Tran 63Posted
21/08/2016 at
14:30:01

I got 11/4 earlier this summer that he'd stay.

He wasn't going to get the CL move he said he wanted. He's got the chance to improve under a better manager and a team that plays with pace.

He scores goals every season. He scares the opposition. He creates space for other players. .when they're energetic enough to fill it.

He'll improve under Koeman. And on that basis, he'll be part of something special with us or get his CL move, if there's a club willing to pay.

I'm looking forward to seeing him under Koeman this season.

Eric Holland 64Posted
21/08/2016 at
14:38:13

I don't care about his gob or his Father or his agent!!All I care about is that he does the job he is paid to do,which is to score goals for Everton.Not smile, do Cruyff turns or pretend he has the control of Lionel fucking Messi.Lets see what he can do this season with a new Manager and a new style of play, If its an improvement on last season all the better for us.

Brent Stephens 65Posted
21/08/2016 at
14:49:34

Damian - Gary who??!!

Brent Stephens 66Posted
21/08/2016 at
14:56:20

RK seems to be bringing the best out of the likes of Mirallas already. If he can do this to the team as a whole, including Rom, and including getting better service to Rom, then we might be looking at even more goals per season from him than now. Which will do fine for me.

Don't give a toss about what a player or his agent says (within reason; especially if it's recycled by the papers weeks after, to give the impression of a new quote); what he earns; how he spends his dosh; whether he's a born blue. I just want goals from a striker.

Phil Walling 67Posted
21/08/2016 at
15:23:39

Lets be honest, he's still here because no club saw him as worth the fee put on his head or the daft money Moshy has thrown at him.

I just hope he gets on with his job of scoring goals - if he remembers how to do it - and keeps his trap shut .

Certainly his form, utterings and demeanour makes him nobody's hero at the moment !

Kevin Rowlands 68Posted
21/08/2016 at
15:24:21

I keep seeing post after post going on about all these goals he scores. Let me repeat, he hasnt scored a single goal for Everton in fifteen straight games, that's closing in on half a season. That's hardly world class or prolific is it?

Matthew Williams 69Posted
21/08/2016 at
15:29:51

Its great news but my only worry is he wont sign a new contract which will mean by the end of the season he will only have a couple of years left which will make any transfer fee much lower.

David Barks 70Posted
21/08/2016 at
15:58:16

Kevin,

That's incorrect. He didn't score in the last 8 matches last season, with his last goals coming in the FA Cup against Chelsea. That's 8 matches to end last year, and then yesterday's substitute appearance. In yesterday's match his introduction and presence up top changed the game. It's very good news he is staying with us.

Mark Daley 71Posted
21/08/2016 at
16:11:06

My aunty was going through the rubbish bins in Bullens Road last night looking for fag-ends, and found part of a contract. It read:

1 basic £50,0002 for scoring £10,0003 not doing that stupid imploring-the-heavens look as if it's God who's got it in for you rather than your own lazy fault for missing a sitter you twat £10,0004 controlling the ball £10,0004 if your agent keeps quiet £10,0005 if your Dad shuts up £10,000TOTAL £100,000

She couldn't see which player it referred to.

Colin Glassar 72Posted
21/08/2016 at
16:14:51

Not a fan then Mark?

Eric Holland 73Posted
21/08/2016 at
16:17:59

Why would you let your Aunty go through the rubbish bins?Shame on you just buy her a pack of fags you cheapskate.

And you must be lying because you have 2 fours in the contract.

Ha ha I bet your Aunty doesn't even smoke.

Mark Daley 74Posted
21/08/2016 at
16:39:55

No Eric, I send her out to collect them for me, she's too old for the game now so she's got to pay her way in the house somehow.

Kevin Rowlands 75Posted
21/08/2016 at
16:42:18

That is not incorrect David, if you include pre season games he played plus cup games it is now 15 straight games for Everton that he has not scored, hardly prolific is it. I agree things did change after he came on yesterday, but yet again missed a sitter, we can disagree all you want but even you surely has to see that he needs to step up his form and goalscoring from a very average last several months.

Stephen Ashton 76Posted
21/08/2016 at
16:47:47

Kevin, David, both wrong it is 12 including yesterday since he scored in the premier league and fa cup. He did get a brace in the euros.

David Barks 77Posted
21/08/2016 at
16:50:43

Actually I get 10 to end last season and then yesterday's match for this season. So 11.

Darren Hind 78Posted
21/08/2016 at
16:51:54

Shrewd bet Paul T. Didnt realise they were offering odds.

Hope you lumped on

Kevin Rowlands 80Posted
21/08/2016 at
17:00:42

Ok, is not scoring in 12 games prolific then? I noticed you dodged the question about his bang average form the last several months besides the non goalscoring David, no suprise. BTW the brace for Belgium came against a center half pairing of O'shea and Duffy, say no more.

Dave Pritchard 81Posted
21/08/2016 at
17:01:48

I would expect Rom to score next week against Stoke. What odds would people offer against him scoring?

David Barks 82Posted
21/08/2016 at
17:25:37

Dave,

Yeah, I would expect he will get a goal after returning to training and hopefully having Bolasie in the starting 11. Season has just started, he's only made one appearance as a sub for us so far and had a big impact. Him staying will only help us move back up the table where we belong.

Last season he went on scoring runs, as every striker does. Scored 12 in 12 matches, 6 in 6 matches, then there was a barren spell to end the season when the entire team fell apart under the clown of a manager we finally got rid of. I have no doubt that under Koeman, with a more direct approach and wanting to get the ball forward and into the box, that he'll go on another scoring run very soon.

Joe Clitherow 83Posted
21/08/2016 at
17:28:25

All strikers go through barren patches but compiling stats to hang people based on playing in a failing Martinez team makes no sense to me.

I've got some news : no-one played well for the past several months under the Catalan Clown, so benchmarking and quoting stats about anyone in that period to make some kind of damning point is a pretty pointless exercise.

Let's see a fit Lukaku under a decent manager because you can be sure Koeman won't tolerate a poor performer, and clearly, he rates Lukaku for his main job of sticking them in the onion bag.

Brent Stephens 84Posted
21/08/2016 at
17:31:17

"BTW the brace for Belgium came against a center half pairing of O'shea and Duffy, say no more". So we're now going to be selective about which opposition any goals count?

Seems we're arguing about how many goals in the current barren spell when I'd have thought it more valid to take the longer view. In which case, a goal every two and a quarter games in his first 3 seasons for us. Unless you think he's too old to take a long term view.

Eugene Kearney 85Posted
21/08/2016 at
17:32:38

Lukaku staying is only good news. I thought he'd go and would've gladly said good riddance cos of his unsavoury mutterings to the press each international break.

We need the goals he scores. Maybe he'll score more of them in a Koeman, revamped set-up.

In any case, things "feel" a lot better/happier and more optimistic now.

COYB.

Kevin Rowlands 86Posted
21/08/2016 at
17:34:04

Colin #59, it's not personal mate it's business, I've heard he's a real nice lad and good person, I just wish his actual game matched all the hype that comes with it, hopefully under Koeman we will see that, btw what did I tell you about Holgate, the lads going to be top drawer and I believe better than Stones in the long run. I notice the 'sceptics' aren't banging on about right back cover today, we already have it, Seamus Coleman.

Colin Glassar 87Posted
21/08/2016 at
17:45:18

I know it's not personal Kevin, it's just an opinion. Using the last few months of our late managers reign as a benchmark to measure Lukaku's effectiveness is a bit unfair as, Joe C said, the entire team fell apart and stopped functioning not just him.

Kevin Rowlands 88Posted
21/08/2016 at
17:58:12

Brent, why do you have to quote my post in your own? My post is there for everyone to see and read, I don't think they need to read it twice.

Kevin Rowlands 89Posted
21/08/2016 at
18:02:49

For what it's wort now that he has made his decision to stay (slightly arrogant imho, but still) he will get my full support and I really hope the lad blossoms under Koeman and proves me and others wrong.

Eric Holland 90Posted
21/08/2016 at
18:07:56

Why does he have to prove you and the others wrong?How many did he score last season?In a shit team with a shit manager, and some of you have the audacity to call him a lard arse.http://www.7sur7.be/7s7/fr/8012/photo/photoalbum/detail/1936164/1418894/0/Lukaku-montre-ses-muscles.dhtmlLard arse my arse..

Colin Glassar 91Posted
21/08/2016 at
18:10:22

Anyone else notice how animated, and chatty, Big Dunc was yesterday? Last season he mostly sat, arms crossed, looking totally pissed off. It even looked like Ronald was consulting with him during the game.

Mark Tanton 92Posted
21/08/2016 at
18:13:09

Very good spot Colin - I also noticed that he was quite deferential in his body language, Koeman the boss with no uncertain whatsoever.

Paul Tran 93Posted
21/08/2016 at
18:20:45

Yes I did lump on, Darren. Always worth asking those kind bookies who are usually glad to take your money!

Darren Hind 94Posted
21/08/2016 at
18:25:17

Good Lad

Kevin Rowlands 95Posted
21/08/2016 at
18:27:40

Eric, show me one single post where I have called him a lard arse, as for proving me and others wrong, he hasn't scored in 12/15 games, his form has been bang average at best for several months, he's dissed the club before the Euros, and has had a piss poor attitude on the field, let's hope he improves on them points under Koeman and does in fact prove us Lukaku sceptics wrong, I'd be very happy if that happens, but very worried if I was a Belgium fan for obvious reasons.

Colin Glassar 96Posted
21/08/2016 at
18:31:33

Erwin Rommel, errrrm, Koeman looks like a really tough sod doesn't he? He's the one who puts them through the paces at FF and has them all knackered at the end of the day.

I saw a video of Del and Funes Mori having a bit of a dance in the changing room, Rom didn't look too impressed with their dancing skills.

Brent Stephens 97Posted
21/08/2016 at
18:32:42

Kevin, I just wanted to make a counter point, mate, so I felt I should be clear on what the original point was.

Eric Holland 98Posted
21/08/2016 at
19:22:44

Kevin, show me where I said it was you that called him a lard arse.

Kevin Rowlands 99Posted
21/08/2016 at
20:14:18

Eric, fair enough, tbh I haven't seen hardly any criticism of his appearance, mostly his lack of form, lack of recent goals, and attitude and over the last several months and that criticism has been well deserved. The biggest reason he's decided to stay is none of the big CL clubs have made a bid or think he's good enough at the moment.

Stan Schofield 100Posted
21/08/2016 at
21:05:24

Kevin @99: That last sentence is of course just an assertion with no evidence to support it at all. It's possible that he stayed because he feels what's happening here is potentially, or likely to be, something big. To take part in the 'project' so to speak. But of course, none of us know. Nor do we know enough about him to assert that he's arrogant.

Gavin McGarvey 101Posted
21/08/2016 at
21:10:51

I think Rom is great. Certainly, he's our best striker by a mile. I would like us to sign a couple more like him (if not better) as opposed to selling him.

Denis Richardson 102Posted
21/08/2016 at
21:42:10

Very generous of Rom but after his agent presumably touted him around all over Europe for the last two months, not a single bid was actually made for him. At least I cannot remember reading or hearing about any. So thanks for 'choosing' to stay Rom but I hazard a guess you didn't actually have a choice!

Lets sign another striker to have back up and competition so we can put Rom on the bench when he has a dip in form.

Kevin Rowlands 103Posted
21/08/2016 at
21:42:24

Stan, yes your right on the evidence part but do you really believe for one second if any of the big CL clubs came in with the right offer he would have made a decision to stay? Not a fucking chance, and yes some of the things said by him have most definitely come across as arrogant. The fact is he is simply not good enough for a top CL club, maybe he will be in the future but I have my doubts.

Ernie Baywood 104Posted
21/08/2016 at
21:46:14

He's staying because he couldn't get a better move. That's true of most of the players we currently have and certainly true of the ones we signed. If he's signing a new contract I'd expect a release clause to be in it.

Gobs off more than I'd like of course. Mind you, he's good enough to generate that kind of media interest.

Oliver Molloy 105Posted
21/08/2016 at
21:46:16

Well, Stan I have got to say that if any of those champions leagues clubs had been really interested in Lakaku we would have heard about it, not only from them but his Dad and agent would have been mouthing off.Lakaku did himself no favours at the Euros.

I have to agree with Kevin, that in fact the only club that appeared to make an approach was Chelsea.

I am happy he is staying when I predicted that he would leave.He will score goals for us,the more he does the merrier we will all be.There are aspects of his game he needs to work on and Koeman will do this, hopefully making him a better all round player.

Stan Schofield 106Posted
21/08/2016 at
21:56:06

Kevin, to be honest mate, I just don't know. I can imagine that some negotiations have gone on behind the scenes, and that Everton has not budged on a set amount (whether £75M or whatever), because we're supposedly in that position now. But that's just my imagination, which I try to restrain when it comes to making judgements about players' decisions or their reasons behind them. It's nice to speculate, but there are limits. Surely the main point is, he's staying, apparently for at least a season (and who knows, it could turn out to be half a dozen seasons for all we know), he's an Everton player now working under a strong organiser, motivator and disciplinarian, so what's the point in continuing with the kind of criticism in some of these posts? I'm sure RK doesn't need us to tell him how to manage.

Raymond Fox 107Posted
21/08/2016 at
22:15:28

He's only staying because he has to, that's the bottom line.I couldn't make my mind up whether I wanted him to stay or not, probably not if we could have got £60m for him!

Noticed McCarthy never looked at Lukaku when the substitution was made, don't think he will be flavour of the month with some of the other players either.

Raymond Fox 108Posted
21/08/2016 at
22:22:07

Off topic, I hope Galloway is not going to be left on the side lines.He has a big future ahead of him, I'd like to see him take Baines position in due course.

Gareth Clark 110Posted
21/08/2016 at
22:35:52

He won't be a left back Raymond...

More likely we'll see a centre back pairing of Galloway and Holgate... Would be fantastic in a few years!

I hope Galloway goes on loan to Sunderland, looks like he'll get a chance there, while Kone can to Everton.

Lewis Barclay 111Posted
21/08/2016 at
22:48:55

I reckon this is all spin. The club are holding firm on an asking price. Chelsea won't pay it, no one else wants him at a high price so Moshiri says:"Rom, you're going nowhere right now. There's a big change happening at this club. Your contract will last another three years but RonKo has said he'll have made up his mind if he wants to keep you by Christmas or offload you. Let's try and spin this so you don't look like any more of a cock end than you already do. We'll hold off on the offer of a new contract until you've scored more than fifteen goals. Off you go lad."

Kevin Rowlands 112Posted
21/08/2016 at
22:56:48

The criticism is of his own making Stan, don't you think it's a little arrogant to announce to the manager that you've made a decision to stay for at least one more season which I believe is what Koeman said, it comes across like he's doing us a big favor, tbh I even have my doubts Chelsea were ever seriously interested, they have two excellent strikers plus a decent Remy already there, why would they need him esp ecially at the asking price reported. My guess is he HAD to make the decision because of a complete lack of serious interest.

Steve Bingham 113Posted
21/08/2016 at
23:19:26

Has anyone asked Lukaku senior for an opinion ? He seems to have gone quiet recently! Ha

Kevin Rowlands 114Posted
21/08/2016 at
23:26:12

Talking about center forwards I really like the look of that Rondon lad yesterday, I also watched him in Copa America this summer, he's a real handfull, would love Everton to sign him as competition and eventually replace Lukaku, the lad in my opinion will be at a top club sooner than later.

Stan Schofield 115Posted
21/08/2016 at
23:49:44

Kevin, he could have put in a transfer request, but apparently he didn't. So he might not have been too bothered about leaving. No, I don't think his decision was arrogant, I don't have enough information to make such a conclusion. Some of the confident statements on here remind me of the nonesense put out by the media. Some people on TW have an apparent ability to become journalists, given the apparent capacity to make unsubstantiated statements from a minimum of reliable info.

Kevin Rowlands 116Posted
22/08/2016 at
00:14:02

So Stan, all the statements before the Euros from his agent, father and him about wanting to move to a big beautiful club and needing to play CL never happened then? It was all us nasty Lukaku critics just imagining it did and/or making it up because we don't like him, yeh ok mate.

Dave Ganley 117Posted
22/08/2016 at
07:20:13

I think it's a good thing for us. Lukaku is undoubtedly staying because nobody has come in for him but Koeman will make him a better player. He won't allow him to idle away a match gesticulating and moaning that the ball isn't on a platter. Look at how Koeman has thrown down the gauntlet to Mirallas Barkley and Dell boy, they all have picked up in effort and their performances, whilst not top notch yet, have improved and will only get better. Koeman doesn't do passengers and Lukaku will get that message. Having a fully focused Lukaku can only be good for us and we have the right manager in place to fully utilise his talents.

Stan Schofield 118Posted
22/08/2016 at
09:41:19

Kevin, get a grip mate. Knowledge of most things extends from 'complete ignorance' to 'reasonable expectation'. You appear to veer towards extremes, as does the media. Sometimes, we just need to admit that we don't actually know the situation, despite all the tatty little rumours and gossip. No wonder we have a shit media, there's are so many people willing to swallow any bit of rumour and run with it. But don't let me take away your right to consider someone you don't know to be arrogant or whatever else you decide they are.

Dave Pritchard 119Posted
22/08/2016 at
09:51:43

Character assassination is a common feature from some on here. The number of comments saying that Joe Hart is a **** on other threads is another example of it. Reports in the media should always be taken with a pinch of salt and although players do sometimes say stupid things the bottom line is whether they put a shift in on the pitch. If they do then I don't care much what they say or have reportedly said.

Kevin Rowlands 120Posted
22/08/2016 at
10:43:24

Stan and Dave, why would he need to tell the manager that he had decided to stay if he never had any intention of leaving in the first place and why would the manager go public with their discussion? He had made it plainly obvious before the Euros that he wanted out through his agent, father and his own words which are well documented, this isn't wild speculation, character assassination or whatever you want to call it. He's decided to stay, fine, I hope he has a great season bangs in loads of goals, and then we'll see what happens next summer.

Ernie Baywood 121Posted
22/08/2016 at
10:47:44

I sit here reading these threads in amazement at how quickly people will leap to the extremes of a situation.

It's an Internet thing, right? Because half these comments would be laughed out of normal conversations.

Stan Schofield 122Posted
22/08/2016 at
11:12:09

Ernie, you're right, it's an Internet thing. I enjoy many of the comments on TW from fellow Evertonians, but some of them fall into that category, like you see on sites such as Facebook and Linkedin, of folks basically shouting. They'd be different conversations over a few pints in the pub.

Kevin Rowlands 123Posted
22/08/2016 at
11:19:27

Maybe he's talking abut your posts Stan.

Stan Schofield 124Posted
22/08/2016 at
12:07:56

That is possible Kevin. It's your round isn't it? I'll have a pint of Guinness mate.

Eivind Nyhus 125Posted
23/08/2016 at
13:36:11

I don't understand the Rondon shouts. He's goal record in the prem is terrible. And yes, he plays for Westbrom, but so did Rom a few seasons back, and he bagged a lot more goals than Rondon, even though he was a kid at the time. I like Rondon as a player, but he's not good enough for Everton.

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